It was a chilly morning that saw 3,000 participants brave the cold as they set out on another adventure, snaking a route through the Umm Al Quwain desert and into the rugged mountains of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
The 37th edition of the Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive was officially underway, with an eight-hour drive through varying terrains, testing the ability and dexterity of both novice drivers and experienced marshals.
The morning kicked off with a breakfast spread catered by Foodcraft and JA Resorts & Hotels, with enthusiastic hopefuls raring to face the obstacles that lay ahead.
For sisters Ritu and Divya Poojari, the day was one full of promise, with the latter confessing this was her very first outing on the Fun Drive.
“I am not sure what to expect, but my sister has been on one before, and our dad is a frequent off-roader so I am sure we will have fun,” she told Gulf News tabloid!
Flag off
The event was flagged off by Shaikh Marwan Bin Rashid Al Mualla, Chairman of Emirates Motorplex and Rajeev Khanna, Gulf News Commercial Director, at 8.20am, with the first caravan of cars being led by off-road aficionado Shaikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, who was driving a modified armoured jeep that was followed by a souped-up Dodge Ram and a Ford Super Duty.
With marshals flagging each end of a convoy, the 850 vehicles set off into the desert with some adrenaline-charged enthusiasts even climbing up on the roof of their four-wheel to let out a war cry, before buckling up for the adventure.
Launched in 1986, the annual event remains a top draw on UAE’s social calendar, drawing in enthusiasts year after year from different parts of the country — some registering even when they are travelling overseas.
Shebaun Mohammad Sherief, who was on the Fun Drive with four other friends, said: “I was travelling to Georgia with my family when the registrations opened. There on my holiday, I was sitting with my computer, refreshing over and over again until I was able to get my name in for this year’s drive.”
Sherief, who has been on several Fun Drives in the past, said his reason for coming back repeatedly was the team spirit and the adventure that each event brings.
Desert chronicles
Less than 30 minutes into the drive, the first few vehicles found themselves deeply wedged in the sand, with young marshal Elisha Dessurne — along with marshal Martina Mozzicato — coordinating a joint effort to pull the four-wheelers with a tow rope.
Before hitting the dunes, each vehicle was stocked with a case of water and boxed lunch for each passenger, but that didn’t stop each passing checkpoint stocking cars with Pringles, Laban Up, Lacnor juices and Oasis water bottles.
Related: Gulf News Fun Drive - Watch all the action live
As the sun made its journey across the sky, the drive through the desert continued to get more challenging, with one particular bowl witnessing up to seven vehicles submerged in various states in the soft sand, with one car popping its front two wheels off the rim.
Working away under the body of the car to fix this particular predicament, marshal Hrant Sarkissian said: “What has happened is that a number of vehicles have already passed through the stretch and the sand is now unsettled, making it difficult for novice desert drivers to cross this stretch without getting stuck.”
A few hundred feet away, marshal Gary Wheeler faced a similar predicament, with his vehicle trying to tow out a Dodge Ram. “The sand is unsettled, the car tyres haven’t been deflated correctly — these are the common problems you will encounter on a desert drive.”
Mountain high
By lunch time, most vehicles had reached the Total checkpoint, where tyres were inflated as many took a break before driving on to the dirt track that would lead them into the mountains by way of Wadi Al Aim.
A bumpy ride, yes, but the track was a welcome change for many families with young kids who were wary of attempting nifty tricks on the dunes.
Alan Daniels, who said he’s been a regular Fun Drive enthusiast for the past 16 years, said: “I am here with my family and the mountain drive appears relatively easy, especially when you have young kids with you.”
The third leg of the Fun Drive took drivers back into the desert sands, with towering dunes that could challenge even the Big Red or, at least present itself as a younger sibling to Liwa’s Moreeb dune. Toyota FJ Cruisers and Jeep Wranglers let the games begin, taking in a final round of dune bashing before heading westwards before the sunset into the sprawling camp set up in Al Aqran, Umm Al Quwain.
Camping capers
As the travellers made their way to camp, a mini city opened its doors to greet them, complete with community tents, a vendor’s shopping and games arcade, camel and pony rides, portaloos and more.
Al Futtaim Motors and Toyota had even set up an activation allowing the novice drivers to experience the thrills of dune bashing in a controlled environment, while a heaving buffet welcomed those who needed a recharge before the night’s entertainment commenced.
Live bands, a DJ set, a belly-dancing performance and fireworks led up to the desert sands welcoming families to revel in the fun and dance the night away, even as dessert was served in the form of a massive 10-foot cake.
The following morning, as the breakfast spread rolled out before enthusiasts made the drive home, the energy and camaraderie continued to keep the conversation buzzing.
Participant Adel Shroff said: “I’m here with my family and we had so much fun. I think the best part was getting stuck in the sand and trying 15 times before managing to pull my vehicle out on the 16th try. It was a sense of achievement in many ways.”
Shroff added that his daughter was hoping they would stay back and continue the day at the camp.
His child wasn’t alone, with four-year-old Alyza Kha very eloquently saying: “I had fun. I made sand castles in the desert.”
Would she like to return next year? An eager thumbs up said it all.
Checkpoint sponsors on the Fun Drive included Orient Tours and Travel and Wheels. Support sponsors for the event included Byrne, Denim, Flow Composite Manufacturing FZC, TORC The Offroad Company and Wildcraft.
The official hotel was Barracuda Beach Resort UAQ, while Fun Drive numbers were sponsored by Amity University. Total was the lubricants sponsor and BF Goodrich was the official tyre sponsor. The Fun Drive was organised with the support of IATC and the Emirates Motorplex, UAQ.
